Solar farm with battery storage at Land (E) 431186 (N), 208772 Witney Road, Brize Norton

What was proposed

The application proposed a ground-mounted solar farm with battery storage, associated infrastructure, access, ancillary works and landscaping.

“Application Details: Construction and operation of a ground-mounted solar farm with battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure, access, ancillary works and landscaping…”

Officer report

The site

The approximately 46-hectare agricultural site lies between Curbridge, Brize Norton and Minster Lovell, beside the A40 and Witney Road.

“The site comprises approximately 46ha of agricultural land located to the south west of Witney, between the villages of Curbridge, Brize Norton and Minster Lovell. The northern site edge is bound by the A40, with the Witney Road to the south. A mature woodland block lies at the western edge of the site with mature hedgerows and intermittent trees defining field boundaries. A Public Right of Way (PRoW Ref: 185/11/30) bisects the site running north-south.”

“The site is not within any areas of designated planning significance. The nearest statutorily designated site is Worsham Lane Site of Special Scientific Interest ('SSSI'), located approximately 300m from the northwest of the Site. The Cotswolds National Landscape lies approximately 1.5km to the north of the Site. There are a number of Ancient Woodlands within the 2km study area.”

Officer report

Earlier application and deferral

An earlier screening opinion found that an environmental impact assessment was not required, and the application was later deferred over Caswell House’s private water supply.

“The application was deferred at the August meeting of this Committee to enable further consideration regarding the impact of the proposal on the private water supply of Caswell House. The applicant has submitted a document entitled 'Responses to Comments at and Submissions to Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee', which addresses in detail the rationale for the siting the BESS, third party comments regarding risks to groundwater and sets out in detail how the…”

“24/01127/SCREEN- Screening opinion (EIA) for development of a 30MW solar farm with 30MW BESS and associated works, equipment, and necessary infrastructure. Decision: EIA not required.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a legal agreement, finding that renewable energy, battery storage, ecological and economic benefits outweighed landscape and heritage harm.

“Conversely, the scheme would result in significant economic, social and environmental benefits through the low carbon method of energy generation proposed, resulting in 30MW of electricity generation capacity.”

“Despite partial conflict with the development plan with regard to landscape and visual impact, the proposal is therefore considered to accord with the provisions of the development plan as a whole and the above policy and legislative context with regard to renewable energy development, which provides a material consideration adding weight to the conclusion that the application should be approved.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Eight objections raised concerns about the water supply, fire access, heritage, archaeology, screening, farmland, wildlife, flooding, landscape and visual effects.

“A total of eight objection comments have been received from four interested parties.”

“Impact of battery storage facility adn wider solar farm on spring water supply to Caswell House • Highways safety concerns along Witney Road resulting from construction traffic and difficulty accessing BESS should fire occur • Impact on the setting of the Grade II* listed building at Caswell House and archaeology • Need for strengthened screening • Loss of agricultural land • Adverse impact on local wildlife and ecology • Impact on flood risk and hydrology • Landscape and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors raised concerns about the spring and stream, while the applicant’s agent described safeguards for hazards, water monitoring, landscape and ecology.

What members debated

Members discussed construction traffic, dust, waste, fire containment, firefighting materials, the BESS location and possible contamination of Caswell House’s water supply.

“Members asked the speaker if there were emergency plans in place in case of an event and if the BESS could be relocated. The speaker confirmed that various sites had been looked at for the BESS and found the current location was the best option. The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points: • Drainage strategy had been submitted with documents. There were no objections from the Oxfordshire County Council flood risk officer.”

“The Chair invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application which raised the following points: • Members raised concerns about the monitoring of construction traffic and potential waste matters such as dust and construction waste which could contribute to water sources being contaminated.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Nick Leverton proposed refusal, seconded by Councillor Steve Cosier; nine members supported it, one opposed it and two abstained.

“Councillor Nick Leverton proposed the Sub-Committee refuse the application on the grounds that the application had failed to demonstrate an appropriate impact on the water supply serving Caswell House in accordance with policies OS2 and EH8. This was seconded by Councillor Steve Cosier and put to the vote.”

“Voting Record – 9 for, 1 against, 2 abstentions. The Sub-Committee Resolved to 1. Refuse the application on the grounds that the application had failed to demonstrate an appropriate impact on the water supply serving Caswell House in accordance with policies OS2 and EH8.”

Minutes